{"id":5546,"date":"2014-02-12T05:36:44","date_gmt":"2014-02-12T10:36:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/?p=5546"},"modified":"2014-02-12T08:56:34","modified_gmt":"2014-02-12T13:56:34","slug":"daily-post-trains-meet-on-a-summer-morning-at-cassandra-pennsylvania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/daily-post-trains-meet-on-a-summer-morning-at-cassandra-pennsylvania\/","title":{"rendered":"DAILY POST: Trains Meet on a Summer Morning at Cassandra, Pennsylvania."},"content":{"rendered":"

Pleasant Morning on the West Slope.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

In contrast from the iced grip of winter, these photographs were made on June 30, 2010. This was a gorgeous warm summer\u2019s morning; birds twittered the tree branches as the sun light streamed through a gauzy haze to burn away the dew.<\/p>\n

I arrived early at the famed \u2018Railfan\u2019s Overlook\u2019 to make photographs in the early light of day. In the distance, I could hear the thunder of a heavy train climbing east toward the Allegheny Divide at Gallitzin.<\/p>\n

\"NS<\/a><\/p>\n

Norfolk Southern\u2019s busy former Pennsylvania Railroad mainline rarely disappoints, and this morning it was alive with trains.<\/p>\n

Using my Canon EOS 7D, I worked the glinting sun to its best advantage as an eastward Pennsylvania Power & Light coal train clawed into view. As it worked the grade, a westward RoadRailer led by former Conrail locomotive glided down grade.<\/p>\n

At the back of the coal train were a pair of freshly painted SD40Es making a classic EMD-roar as they worked in run-8 (maximum throttle).<\/p>\n

How I wish I was enjoying a warm June morning on the West Slope right now!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"<\/a>

A Norfolk Southern coal train, likely destined for Pennsylvania Power & Light\u2019s Strawberry Ridge plant, works west at Cassandra, Pennsylvnia. Canon EOS 7D with 24mm lens, exposed at f4 1\/250th second, ISO 200. Back lit morning sun highlights the grass in the foreground.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Coal<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Westward<\/a>
Westward Norfolk Southern RoadRailer at Cassandra, Pennsylvania on June 30, 2010. The morning sun has caught the front element of my lens making for a bit of flare. Notice how this fogs the shadow areas and warms up the scene. Hollywood film-makers love this effect.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"I've<\/a>
I’ve stepped back into the shadow of a tree to control lens flare and stopped down my exposure to allow for better highlight detail on the sides of the RoadRailer. The result is a starker less atmospheric image.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Morning<\/a>
Morning glint illuminates the helpers at the back of coal train. Canon EOS 7D with 28-135mm lens, set at 120mm and at f5.0 1\/500, ISO 400.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tracking the Light<\/a>\u00a0posts new material\u00a0every\u00a0morning.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Please spread the word and share\u00a0Tracking the Light<\/a>\u00a0with anyone who may enjoy seeing it!<\/strong><\/p>\n

http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Interested in learning more about locomotives and viewing more stunning photographs? See my book:<\/strong> Classic Locomotives<\/a> published by Voyageur Press<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Related articles<\/h6>\n